Container with venting gasket

ABSTRACT

A combination gasket and venting member including a gasket portion clamped between the closure cap and the neck of a container in sealing engagement with the neck and further including a flexible annular diaphragm encircled by the gasket portion. The diaphragm extends over the filling and dispensing opening of the container neck and defines a centrally located valve port communicating with such opening and adapted to seat against the underside of the closure cap. A groove extending across the upper face of the gasket portion from the outer periphery of the latter, where it communicates with the atmosphere, admits atmospheric air above the diaphragm to depress the central portion thereof away from the closure cap when atmospheric pressure exceeds the pressure within the container, thus to admit atmospheric air through the port into the container. In one embodiment the closure cap is formed with an outlet opening positioned for communication with the said port.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Douglas F. Corsette Los Angeles,Calll. [21] Appl. No. 883,870 [22] Filed Dec. 10, I969 [45] PatentedDec. 21, 1971 [73] Assignee Diamond International Corporation New York,N.Y.

[S4] CONTAINER WITH VEN'IING GASKET 3 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs. 521 vs.Cl. 222/513, 215/56 [51] Int. Cl. 367d 3/00 [50] Field 01 Search 277/27;222/513, 478, 188; 215/56, 79

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,174,641 3/1965 Kitterrnan215/56 FOREIGN PATENTS 87,741 8/1959 Denmark 215/56 PrimaryExaminer-Stanley Tollberg Attorney-Watson, Cole, Grindle & WatsonABSTRACT: A combination gasket and venting member including a gasketportion clamped between the closure cap and the neck of a containerin'sealing engagement with the neck and further including aflexibleannular diaphragm encircled by the gasket portion. The diaphragmextends over the filling and dispensing opening of the container neckand defines a centrally located valve port communicating with suchopening 7 and adapted to seat against the underside of the closure cap.A

groove extending across the upper face of the gasket portion Q fromtheouter periphery of the latter, where it communicates with theatmosphere, admits atmospheric air above the 'diaphragm'to depress thecentral portion thereof away from the closure cap when atmosphericpressure exceeds the pressure within the container, thus to admitatmospheric air through the port into the container. In one embodimentthe closure cap is formed with an outlet opening positioned forcommunication with the said'port.

CONTAINER WITII VENTING GASKET This invention relates to improvements incontainers, and more particularly encompasses the inclusion in agenerally conventional product container of a self venting and leakproofclosure cap gasket or liner.

As is well known, various liquid products are packaged in plasticcontainers having flexible walls, and equipped either with aconventional sealing type closure cap or with a closure cap of the typedefining a discharge outlet such as a spout. Where a sealing type ofclosure is employed, the product is normally dispensed by pouring afterremoving the closure cap. Where the closure cap is provided with adischarge outlet, the product is generally dispensed by manuallysqueezing the container as many times in succession as may be necessaryto expel the desired amount of the product.

When, for any reason, the pressure within such a container dropsappreciably below the ambient atmospheric pressure, as for instancebecause of permeation loss through the container walls or because oftemperature changes, there results a partial collapse and distortion ofthe container. This in turn, tends to convey a poor product image toprospective purchasers of the product.

Moreover, where such containers are employed as squeeze bottles, asabove described, and particularly where the product therein is of athick or viscous nature, such product will tend to clog the dispensingoutlet and interfere with the passage of air into the container, as isnecessary to permit reexpansion of the container after each squeezestroke. This delay in recovery of the container between strokesundesirably retards the dispensing rate.

Manifestly, therefore, it is desirable to improve such containers byproviding for the maintenance of near atmospheric pressure in them.Where the containers are of the squeeze bottle type, it is furtherdesirable to provide for the rapid admission of air into them betweensqueeze strokes, notwithstanding partial or complete clogging of theirdispensing outlets by the products being dispensed. It is neverthelessimportant to prevent outflow of the product through the air inflow path.

It is further desirable to achieve these ends simply, economically, andwithout material modifications of existing types of containers.

With these considerations in mind, the present invention contemplatesthe inclusion in the container of a combination gasket and diaphragmcheck valve secured in place over the usual filling and dispensingopening of the container by means of the usual removable containerclosure, thus to function as a gasket for preventing product leakageunder all conditions between the container and closure, while freelyadmitting air from the atmosphere whenever the atmospheric pressureappreciably exceeds the pressure within the container.

Although realizing its greatest usefulness in connection with flexiblewalled containers, the invention is by no means restricted to use withsuch containers, but may be used to advantage in connection withrigid-walled containers.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a unitary gasket andcheck valve member, the gasket portion of which is clamped between theclosure and the neck of the container in sealing relation around thefilling and dispensing opening. The member includes a resilientlyflexible annular diaphragm or diaphragm portion which is supported oversaid opening so that its inner periphery defines a valve portcommunicating through said opening with the container interior.Normally, its own resiliency and the fluid pressure within the containermaintain the diaphragm in sealing engagement with a valve seat supportedwithin the container and preferably defined by the closure. Air from theatmosphere is admitted between the closure and the diaphragm to act onthe diaphragm in opposition to the pressure exerted against the underface of the diaphragm from within the container. ACCordingly, anymaterial decrease of the container internal pressure below atmosphericwill unseat the diaphragm to permit atmospheric air to enter thecontainer until pressures on opposite sides of the diaphragm aresubstantially equalized.

In a preferred form, the container closure is of a conventional typehaving an internally threaded skirt by which it is secured on thecontainer neck in a manner such that atmospheric air may flow upwardlybetween the skirt and neck. Such air is admitted between the closure andthe diaphragm through a groove extending across the upper face of thegasket portion of said member.

When the invention is incorporated in a squeeze bottle having a productoutlet through its closure, the valve seat of the closure, the inner endof the outlet, and the valve port communicate with the outlet to permitdischarge of the product on each squeeze stroke, while unseating of thediaphragm between squeeze strokes permits atmospheric air to be drawninto the container through the valve port without having to pass throughthe product outlet.

In the accompanying drawings, showing specific embodiments of theinvention by way of example:

FIG. I is a vertical section through the upper end portion of a typicalcontainer to which the invention is applied:

FIG. 2 is a detail perspective view of the combination gasket anddiaphragm valve employed in the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross section on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1, of a modified form of the invention,as incorporated in a squeeze bottle type of dispensing container;

FIG. 5 is a detail perspective view of the combination gasket anddiaphragm valve employed in the container of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a cross section on the line 66 of FIG. 5.

Referring now in detail to the accompanying drawings, and,

' first, considering the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS1, 2 and 3, there is shown in FIG. 1 the upper portion of a container,here exemplified by a conventional threaded neck 12, to which theinternally threaded skirt [4 of a closure cap 18 is operatively appliedto secure the closure cap on'the container. The closure cap is providedwith a top wall portion 18 overlying the upper end ofthe container neck12.

A diaphragm valve 20 has its outer marginal portion 22 clamped betweenthe top wall 18 of the closure cap and the upper end of the containerneck 12, to function as a gasket in sealing engagement with thecontainer neck around the usual filling and dispensing opening 24. Toimprove the effectiveness of such seal, the lower surface of the gasketportion 22 in this embodiment is provided with one or more annularsealing ribs 26, and the entire diaphragm valve 20 is formed of aresiliently flexible material, such as polyethylene or other suitableplastic, or of a natural or artificial rubber. If desired, the sealingribs 26 may be received in suitable annular grooves formed in the end ofthe container neck 12, as disclosed, for instance, in the US. Pat. toCorsette No. 3,l79,306.

lnwardly of the gasket portion 22 the diaphragm valve 20 extends overthe opening 24 of the bottle neck and its underside is exposed to fluidpressure within the container, while the upper surface thereof isexposed to atmospheric pressure in the manner hereinafter described.

The diaphragm valve 20 is formed with a centrally located valve port 30which communicates with the interior of the container 10 through thefilling and dispensing opening 24. As will be seen by reference to FIG.2, the diaphragm valve 20, prior to application to the container is soformed that the outer marginal area, including the gasket portion 22thereof is substantially flat, while the central area 28 thereof aroundthe port 30 is of domed shape projecting substantially above the surfaceof the surrounding gasket portion 22. Thus when the member 20 is appliedto the container, in the manner illustrated in FIG. I, the downwardpressure of the top wall 18 of the closure cap 16 is concentratedagainst the inner peripheral portion 28 of the diaphragm around the port30, to effect a seal against and to depress the diaphragm. Thus thelower surface of the cap top wall where it engages and seals against theinner periphery of the diaphragm valve 20 around the port 30, functionsas a stationary valve seat, carried by the container 10. Because of thedeforming action of the top wall 18 on the resiliently deformablediaphragm valve 20, it will be apparent that the raised or domed centralarea of the diaphragm valve is resiliently biased upwardly into sealingengagement with the valve seat defined by the under face of the cap topwall 18.

Further, it will be apparent that because of the domed configuration ofthe diaphragm portion 28, only the inner peripheral area thereof aroundthe port 30 is engaged by the top wall 18 of the cap, to function as avalving portion in cooperation with the top wall, and in the operativeposition of the parts shown in FIG. 1, the cap and the diaphragm 20 aremutually conformed to define between them an annular air chamber 34above the diaphragm, Normally the air chamber 34 is sealed off from theport 30 by the sealing engagement between the diaphragm and its seatportion 18 of the cap.

In accordance with the invention, this air chamber 34 communicates withthe atmosphere, so that atmospheric pressure will at all times beexerted on the upper surface of the diaphragm valve 20 in opposition tothe fluid pressure existing within the container and acting against theunder surface of the diaphragm valve. Obviously, such internal pressurewill supplement the biasing action of the diaphragm valve in maintainingthe sealing engagement between the diaphragm valve and the seat 18 onthe closure cap.

While the communication between the air chamber 34 and the atmospheremight be achieved in various ways, one par ticularly advantageous waywhich renders the invention capable of use with a conventional threadedcontainer cap, consists in providing one or more grooves or passages 36which traverse the upper surface of the diaphragm valve extendinginwardly from its outer periphery or margin, preferably to the domedarea 28, or in any event sufficiently far so as to communicate with theair space 34 when the member 20 is in use as shown in FIG. 1.

In accordance with conventional pract e, the inner surface of the capskirt 14 above the threaded portions thereof has a slight clearance,both with the outer periphery of the member 20 and with the bottle neck12, and, obviously, this clearance space communicates with theatmosphere through the helical space between the interengaged threads ofthe skirt l4 and container neck 12. Where the cap is provided with aretainer 38 for holding the member 20 within the container cap orclosure 16 prior to its application to the container 10, such retainer38 consists of a plurality of relatively spaced projections, or isotherwise of a discontinuous nature so as to permit the free passage ofatmospheric air upwardly between the cap skirt I4 and container neck 12and into the outer ends of the grooves 36 in the gasket portion 22.

It will be apparent that for greater sealing efficiency such as might bedesired for certain applications, the under surface of the top wall 18of the cap may be suitably recessed for sealing engagement with acomparatively increased area of the domed portion 28 of the diaphragmvalve around the air inlet port 30, or, for instance, a suitably taperedsealing pin (not shown) might be carried by the undersurface of the topwall 18 for sealing reception in the air inlet port 30 of the diaphragm.

The use of a combined gasket and diaphragm valve such as abovedescribed, will be found particularly advantageous where the container10 in a generally conventional flexible walled plastic bottle such as iscommonly used for detergents and other chemicals, and in which thecontainer walls tend to collapse inwardly because of reduced internalpressure such as may result from permeation loss through the containerside walls or other causes. In the event the pressure within thecontainer, for any reason, falls substantially below the atmosphericpressure, atmospheric air passes upwardly between the threaded portionsof the cap skin 14 and container neck 12, between the retainer beadsegments or projections 38, and thence through the grooves 36 to the airchamber 34 above the diaphragm 28. Any material excess of atmosphericpressure over the internal pressure of the container will permit the airin chamber 34 to depress the central portion of the diaphragm 20,thereby unseating same from the valve seat defined by the under-surfaceof the cap top wall 18 and thereby permitting the air from the space 34to flow into the container through the air inlet port 30 until thepressure within the container is nearly equal to atmospheric pressure,at which time the resilient biasing action of the diaphragm 28 willagain seat it against the undersurface of the cap 'top wall 18.

It will be apparent that where the fluid pressure within the container10 substantially equals or exceeds that of the atmosphere, the port 30will remain closed. In other words, the function of the diaphragm valve20 is similar to that of a check valve in that it permits only an inflowthrough the port 30 and acts at all times to prevent an outflow throughsuch port. Manifestly, any increased pressure within the container 10will serve only to seat the diaphragm more securely against the seat orseat portion 18 of the cap.

In the modified form of the invention, shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, thecombined gasket and check valve of the invention is adapted for use witha generally conventional liquid container and dispenser of the flexiblewall or squeeze bottle"type to serve the same functions as in theimmediately preceding embodiment and, in addition, to provide anincreased air inlet capacity for quicker recovery of the container aftereach squeeze or deformation thereof. This is especially a factor whenrepeated squeeze strokes are required in fairly close succession andwhere the product being dispensed is of a comparatively thick or viscousnature, such as to substantially impede the entry of air through thedispensing opening.

Thus, in FIG, 4, there is shown fragmentarily the upper end portion of aconventional flexible wall plastic squeeze bottle 10a, provided with anexternally threaded neck 12a defining a filling and dispensing opening240, and having the depending threaded skirt 14a of a container closurecap 16a applied thereto substantially as in the preceding embodiment.The outer marginal portion of the cap top wall 18a overlies the upperend of the container neck 12a to clamp the combined unitary gasket anddiaphragm valve 20a against the container neck in sealing relationthereto, for which purpose the gasket portion .220 may be equipped withsealing rings or ribs 260! as before.

As thus described, this embodiment is similar to the precedingembodiment. However, it differs therefrom in that the closure cap 16a isformed to define a centrally located product outlet 310, preferablythrough a discharge spout 40a which, in the present instance, is shownas having a closed tip or dispensing end which is adapted to be cut offin order to permit dispensing therethrough of the container contents.The valving portion 28a of the diaphragm valve in this embodiment isdefined by an upwardly projecting portion of the member 200: whichtapers upwardly in thickness to its upper peripheral edge which definesthe air inlet port 30a.

The lower end portion of the spout 40a is formed with a preferablytapered recess, the inner surface of which defines the valve seat 32awhich concentrically surrounds and sealingly engages the innerperipheral portion of the diaphragm valve 20a around the port 3011!. Asin the preceding embodiment, the diaphragm 20a is depressed somewhatdownwardly by such engagement, thereby slightly deforming it as shown,so that its valving portion 28a normally is resiliently biased upwardlyinto sealing engagement with the seat 32a. Normally prior to removal orcutting away of the closed end of spout 4001, the internal pressure ofthe container 10a will be exerted against the. diaphragm valve 20a onthe underside thereof to urge its inner periphery around the port 3001against the seat 32a.

As will be apparent in FIG. 4, the seat portion 32a of the closure capdiverges downwardly at a somewhat greater angle than does the exteriorsurface of the conical valving portion 280:, so as to define between thetwo an air chamber 340 which chamber communicates outwardly with theatmosphere through the radial groove or grooves 360, in the uppersurface of the diaphragm portion 22a, thence downwardly to theatmosphere between the threaded skirt 14a, of the closure cap and thethreaded container neck 12a, just as in the preceding embodiment.

During shipping and storage of liquid filled containers equipped withthe invention as shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the combined gasket andcheck valve 20a will serve the same functions as the check valve 20 ofthe preceding embodiment. That is, so long as the pressure within thecontainer a substantially equals or exceeds the external atmosphericpressure, the inner periphery of the diaphragm valving portion 28aaround the air inlet port 300 will be pressed upwardly into sealingengagement with the valve seat 32a, both by the resilient biasing actionresulting from slight downward displacement of the diaphragm a, and alsoby the internal container pressure. g

In the event the internal pressure of the container [00 becomessubstantially less than that ,of the atmosphere, the atmosphericpressure within the air chamber 340 above the diaphragm valve 20a willdepress the same to move the valving portion 280 away from the seat 32aso that atmospheric air may pass between the seat 32a and the valvingportion 280, thence through the opening or port 30a into the container.By thus venting the container interior to the atmosphere, any partialcollapsing or deformation of the container, due to reduction of pressuretherein from any cause, will be prevented. 0n the other hand, thecontents of the container will be sealed against escape regardless ofthe internal pressure within the container.

In order to place the container in use for dispensing purposes, theclosed upper end of the spout 40a may be removed as by being cut away inconventional manner, following which the container is partially invertedand subjected to as many squeezes or squeeze strokes as are necessary toexpel] the desired amount of its content through the port 30a and spout40a.

in the usual dispensing container of tks type which is not equipped withthe combined gasket and check valve of the instant invention, it isnecessary that following each squeeze stroke, sufficient air must enterthe container through its spout in order to permit reexpansion of thecontainer before a further squeeze stroke can be commenced. Where theproduct being dispensed is of a comparably thick or viscous nature suchas to impede the inflow of air through the spout, the frequency of thesqueeze strokes is necessarily considerably decreased.

It will be apparent, however, that by the employment of the structureshown in FIG. 4, after each squeeze stroke, air may be permitted freelyto enter the container between the gasket diaphragm or valve portion 28aand its seat 32a and thence through the port 30a, independently of anyliquid retained in the spout 40a, thus making possible the discharge ofproduct from the container at an increased rate.

I claim:

1. A flexible walled container, having an externally threaded neckdefining a filling and dispensing opening, and a removable closurecomprising an internally threaded skirt operatively disposed on saidneck, said closure including a top wall overlying the end of said neck,in combination with:

an annular flexible diaphragm having its outer periphery clamped betweensaid closure top wall and said container neck, said closure defining aproduct outlet;

said diaphragm having an inner periphery communicating with said productoutlet and defining an air inlet and product discharge port for saidcontainer;

means normally resiliently biasing said inner periphery of the diaphragminto sealing engagement with said closure around said product outlet;and

means separate from said product outlet for admitting atmospheric airbetween said top wall of the cap and said diaphragm, whereby to unseatsaid diaphragm from sealing relation with said closure and to admitatmospheric air through said port into the container independently ofthe product outlet when the pressure within the container dropsappreciably below that of the atmosphere.

2. A container as defined in claim 1, in which said container closureincludes a disgensing spout defining said product outlet, the rnterrorof sar spout at its lower end portion berng of outwardly divergingconical configuration defining said valve seat for cooperation with saidinner periphery of the diaphragm.

3. A container as defined in claim 1, in which the inner end portion ofsaid outlet defines said valve seat, said valve seat being of downwardlyconverging frustoconical configuration, the inner peripheral portion ofthe diaphragm around said port also being of frustoconical configurationdiverging downwardly at a smaller angle than said valve seat to definean annular air chamber between said closure and the diaphragm aroundsaid port, said chamber communicating with said means for admittingatmospheric air.

a t t lOIOIS 0287

1. A flexible walled container, having an externally threaded neckdefining a filling and dispensing opening, and a removable closurecomprising an internally threaded skirt operatively disposed on saidneck, said closure including a top wall overlying the end of said neck,in combination with: an annular flexible diaphragm having its outerperiphery clamped between said closure top wall and said container neck,said closure defining a product outlet; said diaphragm having an innerperiphery communicating with said product outlet and defining an airinlet and product discharge port for said container; means normallyresiliently biasing said inner periphery of the diaphragm into sealingengagement with said closure around said product outlet; and meansseparate from said product outlet for admitting atmospheric air betweensaid top wall of the cap and said diaphragm, whereby to unseat saiddiaphragm from sealing relation with said closure and to admitatmospheric air through said port into the container independently ofthe product outlet when the pressure within the container dropsappreciably below that of the atmosphere.
 2. A container as defined inclaim 1, in which said container closure includes a dispensing spoutdefining said product outlet, the interior of said spout at its lowerend portion being of outwardly diverging conical configuration definingsaid valve seat for cooperation with said inner periphery of thediaphragm.
 3. A container as defined in claim 1, in which the inner endportion of said outlet defines said valve seat, said valve seat being ofdownwardly converging frustoconical configuration, the inner peripheralportion of the diaphragm around said port also being of frustoconicalconfiguration diverging downwardly at a smaller angle than said valveseat to define an annular air chamber between said closure and thediaphragm around said port, said chamber communicating with said meansfor admitting atmospheric air.